figure of 8 mains cable

A

Anonymous

Guest
Have a look at elucidate cables figure of 8. I've got one on my V+ box. I'm very impressed with it. In infact I'm just about to buy one for my blu-ray player.
 

wireman

New member
Aug 6, 2009
17
0
0
Visit site
Gander:a variation on what seems like a popular discussion recently...... Can anyone recommend a good upgrade from the free issue figure of 8 cables?
What does make a real difference with all these figure 8 leads is ensuring the polarity is correct (i.e. making sure L goes to L, and N goes to N) since the figure 8 connector can be reversed. When the polarity is correct it always sounds better, but working out which is the correct way round can be difficult. For example, the live pin on my KEF 3005SE's sub is the one nearest the fuse holder, and you'd also need to check which pin in the figure 8 connector is L to ensure it's right. A multimeter or continuity tester is best, or alternatively you can just try listening with the plug in one way and then the other and see which sounds better to you.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Thanks for the tip wireman! have ordered couple of RA jobbies. Man my bank balance has taken a hammering this month!
 

jase fox

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2008
212
0
18,790
Visit site
Gander:Thanks for the tip wireman! have ordered couple of RA jobbies. Man my bank balance has taken a hammering this month!You wont go wrong with RA powerkords Gander & RA products do hammer your bank balance im afraid, but its worth it though although my other half wouldnt agree, ha
 

visionary

Well-known member
Apr 4, 2008
80
0
18,540
Visit site
wireman: When the polarity is correct it always sounds better, but working out which is the correct way round can be difficult.

It obviously doesn't sound THAT much better then
emotion-4.gif
 

jase fox

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2008
212
0
18,790
Visit site
visionary:
wireman: When the polarity is correct it always sounds better, but working out which is the correct way round can be difficult.

It obviously doesn't sound THAT much better then
emotion-4.gif


mmm ill 2nd that comment....
 

wireman

New member
Aug 6, 2009
17
0
0
Visit site
jase fox:visionary:

wireman: When the polarity is correct it always sounds better, but working out which is the correct way round can be difficult. It obviously doesn't sound THAT much better then
emotion-4.gif
mmm ill 2nd that comment....

Heck, you guys don't give anybody a break, do you?!! Okay, what I meant was it's difficult to tell by measurement which way around the figure 8 plug should be without some kind of testing device... as an electrician, I've a van load of expensive test gear, so it's easy for me. Audibly, it's easy to tell with a full-range audio system or even with a ghetto blaster - with a set-top box or a subwoofer (which is where these plugs usually crop up), it's more subtle, but the difference is there. The correct polarity is always when the internal fuse of the component is on the Live wire from the mains lead. If you haven't anything to physically test the connections with, try reversing the plug and listen/see for yourselves... it costs you nothing, even with a junk lead. And Jase, I think you'll find Russ Andrews waxes lyrical about ensuring the polarity of figure 8 connectors is correct too!
 

jase fox

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2008
212
0
18,790
Visit site
wireman:jase fox:visionary:

wireman: When the polarity is correct it always sounds better, but working out which is the correct way round can be difficult. It obviously doesn't sound THAT much better then
emotion-4.gif
mmm ill 2nd that comment....

And Jase, I think you'll find Russ Andrews waxes lyrical about ensuring the polarity of figure 8 connectors is correct too!
Sorry wireman, didnt mean to rattle your cage bud, it was just the way you said "when the polarity is correct it always sounds better, but working out the correct way can be difficult?

Obviously with you being a spark your referring to the technical side of it rather than an obvious noticeable difference in sound quality, wires crossed (no pun intended) ha
 

wireman

New member
Aug 6, 2009
17
0
0
Visit site
Jase - there really is "an obvious noticeable difference in sound quality" - take a look at Russ Andrews comments. Technically, even being a sparky, I wouldn't give a hoot if it didn't make any audible difference! With the RA Powerkord-8, it's even more noticeable - not night and day different - but audibly improved.
 

jase fox

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2008
212
0
18,790
Visit site
wireman:Jase - there really is "an obvious noticeable difference in sound quality" - take a look at Russ Andrews comments. Technically, even being a sparky, I wouldn't give a hoot if it didn't make any audible difference! With the RA Powerkord-8, it's even more noticeable - not night and day different - but audibly improved.Yes i know theres an obvious noticable difference in sound quality, thats my point mate.
 

jase fox

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2008
212
0
18,790
Visit site
I am a big believer in specialist mains cables for the simple reason..... They work !!!!

When you said finding the correct polarity can be difficult surely if you notice a big difference in sound quality then thats the correct way? I use a RA figure of 8 adapter on my Sky HD box & when i 1st plugged it in the PQ looked like it had interference lines on it however, when i swapped it around hey presto the lines had gone, so yes, it does make a difference as to which way it goes in, you simply just see which way gives the better quality, imo it isnt difficult at all if you know what your looking for.
 

wireman

New member
Aug 6, 2009
17
0
0
Visit site
Yes, but it's easy for you to detect the difference in cables and polarity given the standard of equipment you're using - my AV is all RA'd too (notably the 2500 transport, which I agree benefits from an RA powerkord cable no-end). The improvements are less obvious with lesser equipment, and frankly I'm appalled by the way some of the systems I see are wired together still with in-the-box free leads when asked to go install dedicated radial or ring circuits. Greater improvements could be had by just improving those standard leads rather than paying me to install a dedicated mains supply. It seems that quite a few enthusiasts miss the obvious little improvements they can make, and instead just jump wholesale into the deep end. But that's enthusiasts for you...
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Well RA certainly dont hang about! The cables have turned just turned up at the office. More tinkering when i get home tonight
emotion-15.gif
 

wireman

New member
Aug 6, 2009
17
0
0
Visit site
Gander:Well RA certainly dont hang about! The cables have turned just turned up at the office. More tinkering when i get home tonight

You and me both Gander... another RA Powerkord turned up here earlier too... except I'm already at home, and it's already burning in nicely as we speak. Let us know your views once you're "wired up"...
 

True Blue

New member
Oct 18, 2008
185
0
0
Visit site
wireman:Gander:a variation on what seems like a popular discussion recently...... Can anyone recommend a good upgrade from the free issue figure of 8 cables?
What does make a real difference with all these figure 8 leads is ensuring the polarity is correct (i.e. making sure L goes to L, and N goes to N) since the figure 8 connector can be reversed. When the polarity is correct it always sounds better, but working out which is the correct way round can be difficult. For example, the live pin on my KEF 3005SE's sub is the one nearest the fuse holder, and you'd also need to check which pin in the figure 8 connector is L to ensure it's right. A multimeter or continuity tester is best, or alternatively you can just try listening with the plug in one way and then the other and see which sounds better to you.

errrrrrr...........A/C = Alternating current?????
 

jase fox

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2008
212
0
18,790
Visit site
wireman:Yes, but it's easy for you to detect the difference in cables and polarity given the standard of equipment you're using - my AV is all RA'd too (notably the 2500 transport, which I agree benefits from an RA powerkord cable no-end). The improvements are less obvious with lesser equipment, and frankly I'm appalled by the way some of the systems I see are wired together still with in-the-box free leads when asked to go install dedicated radial or ring circuits. Greater improvements could be had by just improving those standard leads rather than paying me to install a dedicated mains supply. It seems that quite a few enthusiasts miss the obvious little improvements they can make, and instead just jump wholesale into the deep end. But that's enthusiasts for you...Well yes maybe higher end kit is easier to detect these differences. Im using a RA Reference powerkord on my amp and boy what a difference its made, totally night & day! Mind you at £254 it oughta be, its DCT treated aswell.

I also own the Denon 2500BT & im using a RA classic powerkord with that & it made a huge difference, they really are great powerkords, there pricey but then again quality normally is.
 

True Blue

New member
Oct 18, 2008
185
0
0
Visit site
Alternatively, go to RS get some SY or CY shielded control cable. Then Maplins and get a figure of 8 connector and an MK toughplug and build your own for less than £25.
 

jase fox

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2008
212
0
18,790
Visit site
True Blue:Alternatively, go to RS get some SY or CY shielded control cable. Then Maplins and get a figure of 8 connector and an MK toughplug and build your own for less than £25.Well you do that True Blue, good luck with it ....
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts